5 Bookshops Worth Visiting in Lisbon

Bertrand is the oldest bookshop in Lisbon, founded in 1732, and is among the most well known. Behind a picturesque façade of blue and white tiles is a wide selection of Portuguese writers and also many translations into English. Situated in the Chiado neighbourhood, Bertrand has an enviable location that allows visitors to soak up the best of Portuguese literature in one of the areas most associated with it. 

Also available are guidebooks in a selection of languages and foreign magazines. For those with a proficiency in Portuguese, Bertrand has a website that gives a good idea of what is available, along with a contact feature allowing you to order books that aren't available in-store. 

Buchholz is about 500 metres northwest of the top of the Avenida da Liberdade. Originally founded by a German, this shop contains books on a very wide range of topics – visitors to Lisbon with an interest in obscure subjects should be able to find something on their field here. The areas of interest include most spheres of science, classical music, gay literature and new age books. 

Buchholz also carries narrow selections in a wide range of languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian, as well as English. Travellers wishing to purchase new audio books to listen to on their long flights home will also find something to suit their tastes. 

Livraria Britânica, located in the Bairro Alto, is one of the best places for English language books in Lisbon. The bookstore carries a wide range of classic novels, children's books, and popular fiction, including classics like Charles Dickens and D.H. Lawrence. Staffed by friendly and helpful young people who are clearly enjoying their job, Livraria Britânica is a pleasant bookshop for you to simply browse and while away some time in Lisbon.

The FNAC shops in the Armazéns do Chiado and Colombo shopping malls attract travellers hoping to find a wide selection of books in their native language besides English.  These are large chain stores present across Europe, and so certainly lack most of the charm of other bookshops in the city. 

Their vast interiors stock music and technological gadgets as well as books. Locals use them for convenience and their lower prices due to economy of scale, but bookworms seeking a specifically Portuguese experience are advised to look elsewhere. 

Saturdays in Lisbon see the Feira dos Alfarrabistas market on Anchieta Street, close to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs. This open-air marketplace has around 20 vendors offering a fascinating collection of secondhand and vintage books. Serious bibliophiles might want to arrange their trip to coincide with the market to take advantage of the opportunity to discover some literary gems.